Laker Soccer Team Tickled Pink about Fundraising Results

January 17, 2014

This past October members of the Iowa Lakes Community College Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams held the first ever ‘Pink Out!’ event to raise money to fight breast cancer through the Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital.

The games were held Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Lakehouse, which is the home pitch of the Lakers. Both games were against Iowa Central Community College.

Attendees wore pink to support the cause, thanks to some assistance from Goal Kick in Spencer. All team members wore pink jerseys with their individual player number on it, along with the Abben Cancer Center and Iowa Lakes soccer logos. Those shirts were then part of a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the fight against breast cancer.

Assistant Coach Sheena Van Roekel stated, “I think the ‘Pink Out!’ had a lot of great success for its first run.”

With tremendous support from the players, parents and community the event was able to raise over $1,300 to go to the Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital.

Van Roekel explained, “The team was very motivated to be a part of this event. The day it was announced, many people immediately asked to inform their family to help raise money by competing for their jerseys. There was a very positive input from the players who saw it as a great opportunity to give back.”

Van Roekel hopes to be able to hold the event next year as well.

When asked about the impact of this event, Van Roekel expressed, “Cancer affects everybody and the players were really excited to give back. I am thankful for the people who helped us because it made the ‘Pink Out!’ successful. The women’s coach for the other team even wore pink. It was a great way to see everyone come together for a worthy cause.”